Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
1
Unified platform for nanosatellite systems
Field of technology
This invention relates to a unified platform for nanosatellite systems which
will
find application in the field of space technology and the satellite industry,
and in
particular for providing access from Earth to the payload of the platform, for
performing tasks and/or commands sent from a ground station to the platform.
Background of the invention
Space exploration and related infrastructure are becoming increasingly
important
in today's world. The space sector is evolving at an extraordinary rate and
this
will lead to large-scale changes in many industries in the coming years. More
than
7,000 new nanosatellites are expected to be launched worldwide in the next ten
years.
Nanosatellites are increasingly used for Earth observation, for communication
purposes, for information transfer, for research and training. According to
experts,
nanosatellites are more suitable and effective for activating the IoT
(Internet of
Things) network than larger satellites with outdated systems that cannot
actually
be updated. IoT is a network of all kinds of devices ¨ from household machines
to computers and even objects ¨ with yet untapped digital potential. In the
presence of network connectivity, they exchange information with each other
without the need for human interaction. This requires a mobile network almost
everywhere ¨ a service that can best be provided by satellites and satellite
platforms.
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
2
Satellite platforms are also used for broadcasting radio and TV programs, for
remote work, for telemedicine, for online training, for servicing various
industrial
segments, including energy and transport ¨ aviation, shipping, etc.
Technical essence of the invention
The objective of the invention is to create a unified platform for
nanosatellite
systems, which is autonomous, intelligent, secure and stable, providing both
control of the satellite and communication between it and the ground station,
and
the ability to download and upload data to and from payload located on the
platform.
The problem was solved by creating a unified platform for nanosatellite
systems,
which consists of communication buses, to which are connected in two
directions
power supply module, on-board computer and communication modules including
as a minimum a UHF transceiver. The platform also includes expandable solar
panels, which are unidirectionally connected to the power supply module and
are
bidirectionally connected to an attitude determination and control module,
which
is bidirectionally connected to the communication buses. The on-board computer
is connected bidirectionally with additional interfaces. The communication
module is bidirectionally connected to an antenna unit including a UHF antenna
that is connected to the auxiliary interface.
The platform has the ability to include payloads, bidirectionally connected to
both
the communication buses and the additional interfaces. Each of the deployable
solar panels, the power supply module, the on-board computer, the attitude
determination and control module and the communication module are equipped
with a redundant circuit.
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
3
In one embodiment, the communication module is capable of including both an
S-band transmitter connected to an S-band receiver and/or additional high-
speed
radio frequency communication devices. The antenna unit is capable of
including
an S-band antenna, an X-band antenna and/or antennas for other frequencies.
The
S-band transmitter and S-band receiver are connected to the S-band antenna,
and
the additional high-speed radio frequency communication devices, which are of
the type X-band transmitter, Ka-band transmitter, W/V-band transmitter, are
connected to X- the band antenna and/or with the antennas for other
frequencies.
The S-band transmitter, the S-band receiver and the additional high-speed
radio
frequency communication devices are connected bidirectionally to the
communication buses.
The advantage of the unified platform for nanosatellite systems is that it
provides
access from Earth to the payload of the platform with very high level of
redundancy which can operate even at a loss of up to 70% of resources, thanks
to
the unified communication structure built between all modules in the platform.
Another advantage is that in each module a redundant circuit is implemented,
with
the help of which when the memory of a microcontroller is completely erased
due
to radiation damage, the main part of its memory is restored, thus the
mierocontroller completely self- recovers and/or reprograms.
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
4
Description of the attached figures
This invention is illustrated in the attached figure 1, which is a schematic
diagram of a unified platform for nanosatellite systems according to the
invention.
Invention embodiments
The created unified platform for nanosatellite systems, shown in Figure 1,
consists
of communication buses 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4, to which bidirectionally power
supply module 2, on-board computer 3 and communication module 5, including
UHF transceiver 5.1 are connected. The platform also includes deployable solar
panels 1.1... 1.4, which are unidirectionally connected to the power supply
module 2 and are unidirectionally connected to the attitude detetmination and
control module 4, which is bidirectionally connected to the communication
buses
7.1 and 7.2. The on-board computer 3 is connected bidirectionally with
additional
interfaces 9.1 and 9.2. The communication module 5 is bidirectionally
connected
to an antenna unit 6 comprising a UHF antenna 6.1, which is connected to the
additional interface 9.2.
The platform has the ability to include payloads 8.1... 8.n, bidirectionally
connected with the communication buses 7.3 and 7.4, as well as with the
additional interfaces 9.1 and 9.2.
Each of the deployable solar panels 1.1... 1.4, the power supply module 2, the
on-
board computer 3, the attitude determination and control module 4 and the
communication module 5 are provided with a redundant circuit 10.
In one embodiment, the communication module 5 is capable of including both an
S-band transmitter 5.2 connected to an S-band receiver 5.3 and/or additional
high-
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
speed radio frequency communication devices 5.4. The antenna unit 6 is capable
of including an S-band antenna 6.2, an X-band antenna 6.3 and/or antennas for
other frequencies. S-band transmitter 5.2 and S-band receiver 5.3. are
connected
to the S-band antenna 6.2, and the additional high-speed radio frequency
communication devices 5.4, which are of the type X-band transmitter, Ka-band
transmitter, WN-band transmitter, are connected to the X-band antenna 6.3
and/or to antennas for other frequencies.
The S-band transmitter 5.2, the S-band receiver 5.3 and the additional high-
speed
radio frequency communication devices 5.4 are bidirectionally connected to the
communication buses 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4.
The modules of the created unified platform for nanosatellite systems have the
following functions and characteristics:
Deployable solar panels 1.1... 1.4 convert solar energy into electricity,
which is
fed to the input of power supply module 2. Solar panels 1.1... 1.4 consist of
solar
cells, light sensors, gyroscopes, microcontrollers and connectors.
The power supply module 2 consists of input power converters from the solar
panels, charger, balancing device, batteries, heating element, output power
converters. The power supply module 2 provides power supply for all modules of
the platform, distributing the power received from the solar panels 1.1 - 1.4
so
that it has suitable electrical parameters for the power supply of modules
with
different voltage levels. Part of the energy is stored in the batteries of the
power
supply module 2.
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
6
The on-board computer 3 is a module on which the main part of the platform
software is executed. It is responsible for the main modes of operation of the
entire
platform. The on-board computer 3 consists of four microcontrollers ¨ two main
dual-core and two acting as a programming device for the first two,
connectors,
external memory and two memory card slots.
The attitude determination and control module 4 is responsible for correctly
pointing the satellite into desired orientations relative to the Earth and
other
reference objects. It consists of a control board with a main microcontroller,
a
board with actuating devices (reaction wheels) and a board with sensors ¨ two
cameras, magnetic field sensors and high-precision light sensors.
Communication module 5 must include a UHF transceiver 5.1 for basic
connection and control of the satellite from Earth. The UHF transceiver 5.1
maintains a low speed ¨ 20 Kbps, and does not require pointing to the Earth.
It
consists of connectors, microcontroller and radio circuit.
The communication module 5 is able to include an S-band transmitter 5.2, which
maintains a higher speed downlink ¨ 5 Mbit/s and is used to transmit larger
data
and telemetry from the satellite to Earth. S-band transmitter 5.2 consists of
connectors, microcontroller, two memory card slots, modulator, radio circuit.
Communication module 5 may also include an S-band receiver 5.3, which also
supports a higher speed uplink ¨ 5 Mbps and is used to upload larger files,
such
as files for new software for the platform modules and to control the
satellite from
the Earth. It consists of connectors, microcontroller, two memory card slots,
demodulator, radio circuit. The communication module 5 has the possibility to
include other additional high-speed radio frequency communication devices 5.4
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
7
such as X-band transmitter, Ka-band transmitter, WN-band transmitter, etc.
They
maintain a high data rate from satellite to Earth from 150 Mbps to several
Gbps,
in different bands of the radio frequency spectrum. They serve to quickly
transfer
a large amount of information from the satellite to Earth such as photos
and/or
video. They consist of connectors, microcontrollers, two memory card slots,
digital part for modulator signal generation, radio circuit.
The antenna unit 6 necessarily includes a UHF antenna 6.1, which consists of a
mechanical frame, a board with a microcontroller for control and connectors,
as
well as metal antennas with a mechanism for their deployment.
The antenna unit 6 is capable of including an S-band antenna 6.2, an X-band
antenna 6.3 and/or antennas for other frequencies, which consist of a board
with
separate metal patches and a connector. The antennas are part of the necessary
infrastructure for the operation of the communication devices from the
communication module 5 and, respectively, where any of the frequencies is not
required (S-band, X-band, Ka-band, etc.), the respective antenna is not
placed.
Communication buses 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 ensure the exchange of data both
between all modules of the platfatin and with external modules, where there
are
additional restrictions on the security of the platform. The buses 7.1, 7.2,
7.3 and
7.4 provide a total of 4 communication channels; the communication buses 7.1
and 7.2 are system buses, which are available only for the platform modules,
and
the communication buses 7.3 and 7.4 are also for payload, i.e. in addition to
the
platform modules, payloads 8.1 .... 8.n are also connected to them.
Communication buses 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 are quadruple reserved, supporting
both high and low data exchange speeds between all modules. They are suitable
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
8
for both control and data exchange. Also, a mechanism has been implemented in
the platform, such that, when a fault is detected in one of the buses, it
transfers
the communication to the next functioning bus and the data exchange continues,
without affecting the general condition of the platform.
The payload 8.1... 8.n is a third-party client device that is a means of
exploring
the Earth from space, exploring the space environment, or a device for
measuring
and/or experimenting in orbit. The payload 8.1... 8.n may be a photo and video
camera, an infrared camera, a communication module with a radio or optical
connection to the Earth and/or another satellite. It can also be any type of
electronics, mechanism or other type of cargo that is subject to study in
space.
Additional interfaces 9.1 and 9.2 are used to connect the payload 8.1... 8.n
and
the platform, in which case the load stability is reduced. UART, I2C, SPI
interfaces are supported.
The redundant circuit 10 is a control and monitoring circuit consisting of two
pairs
of microcontrollers ¨ two main and two auxiliary. The main microcontrollers
have
completely interchangeable functions, and in case of a defect of one of the
two,
the other takes over its functions 100%. Auxiliary microcontrollers have
radiation-resistant memory and play the role of an external programming device
for the respective main microcontroller. In case of deleting and/or changing
the
memory of the main microcontroller, the auxiliary microcontroller can restore
it.
This functionality of recovery and/or reprogramming of the main
microcontroller
is not limited only to the local level in the respective module. This function
can
also be applied from one module to another, le. a main and/or auxiliary
microcontroller of one module may reprogram a main and/or auxiliary
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
9
microcontroller located in another module via communication buses 7.1, 7.2,
7.3
and 7.4.
The functionality of the platform is as follows:
Immediately after separation of the platform from the carrier in orbit, the
power
supply unit 2 is activated to activate the power supply of all modules of the
platform. Then a signal is sent to each module to turn it on. Up to 30 minutes
after
separation, depending on the orbit, a signal is sent from the on-board
computer 3
to open the UHF antenpa 6.1 and the solar panels 1.1 - 1.4. The system for
stabilizing the orientation of the platform is activated by means of the on-
board
computer 3 and the module for determining and controlling the attitude 4. The
communication module 5 enters the mode by sending a platform-specific signal
via the UHF transceiver 5.1 in certain intervals, which can be intercepted by
the
ground station. After establishing a connection with the platform, it enters a
normal mode of operation, during which the tasks provided for a mission and/or
commands sent from the ground station to the platform are performed.
In each of the modules that make up the platform, software and hardware level
logic is implemented, which provides the autonomous functionality of the
platform. The platform estimates on the basis of basic and critical indicators
of
the subsystems, deciding which mode of operation is the most effective or
adequate for a given moment.
The intelligence of the platform is that, depending on the tasks assigned by
the
ground station, the platform pre-plans when different processes should be
started
in preparation for the task. This includes operations such as: the correct
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
WO 2022/082275
PCT/BG2021/000007
to
orientation of the satellite, obtaining the necessary energy, pointing and
activating
the payload ¨ camera, radio, experiment, etc.
The security of the platform lies in the fact that all radio channels for
communication with the nanosatellite are encrypted. This allows more than one
payload to be deployed to different customers and each customer to have access
to only their payload.
This is possible thanks to the architecture of the platform providing
"functionality
sharing", as well as the unified communication structure built between all
modules in the platform. This means that when one module is damaged, then
other
module(s) will cover some of its functions. In addition, each module has an
implemented programmer, which, when the microcontroller's memory is
completely erased due to radiation damage, is able to restore the main part of
its
memory, thus the microcontroller can self recover to a fully functional state.
CA 03191215 2023- 2- 28
